Well construction geosteering apparatus, system, and process

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a geosteering system, method of operation, and associated media are disclosed. The system includes a computing system at a facility remote from at least one rig site. The computing system includes at least one processor and computer storage medium comprising computer-executable instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause performance of a method of remotely controlling steering of a drilling process at the at least one rig site. The method includes receiving a data stream from the at least one rig site, the data stream including subsurface drilling data and directional survey data. The method also includes receiving, from a user, guidance regarding directional steering of a drilling apparatus at the at least one remote rig site. The method also includes communicating the guidance to the at least one rig site via a realtime communications connection.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/935,451, filed on Feb. 4, 2014, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a well construction drillinggeo-steering apparatus, system and process.

BACKGROUND

In the oil and gas well drilling industry, it is important to obtaininput from operations geologist while constructing the wellbore. Thegeologist may be skilled in steering or guiding the pathway of a newwell under construction to achieve the optimum pathway through an oil orgas bearing subterranean formation. The geologist may provide such inputfrom a remote location, which may be hundreds or thousands of miles fromthe well that is under construction. This may be accomplished usingdirectional survey or other data sent by rig personnel from the rig atwhich the well is being drilled to the geologist at a location remotefrom the well. Then, the geologist may analyze the data and reply to therig personnel with instructions relating to the future proposed pathwayfor the well.

Unfortunately, a significant amount of time is required for sending,analyzing, and then returning instructions to rig personnel. During thistime interval, the well may be continuing along a drilling guide paththat is less than desirable. The “lag” time between the request forinput to the geologist and the receipt of instructions from thegeologist at the well site is less than ideal, because during thatinterim time period, the well most likely is not being steered to theprecise coordinates that achieve maximum benefits to future productionfrom the well.

SUMMARY

In summary, the present disclosure relates to a well constructiondrilling geo-steering apparatus, system, and process. The wellconstruction drilling geo-steering arrangements provided herein, in someaspects, provide an efficient, fast means of deducing geological issuesrequired for a remote steering process to take place. Such geo-steeringarrangements allow a geologist to provide steering guidance to aplurality of rig sites on a near-realtime basis, while improvingmechanisms by which those rig sites provide data to the systems used bythe geologist, thereby reducing the time between when data is capturedand when a rig site can receive directional drilling guidance from aremote geologist.

In a first aspect, embodiments of a geosteering system are disclosed. Ina particular embodiment, the system includes a computing system at afacility remote from at least one rig site. The computing systemincludes at least one processor and computer storage medium comprisingcomputer-executable instructions which, when executed by the at leastone processor, cause performance of a method of remotely controllingsteering of a drilling process at the at least one rig site. The methodincludes receiving a data stream from the at least one rig site, thedata stream including subsurface drilling data and directional surveydata. The method also includes receiving, from a user, guidanceregarding directional steering of a drilling apparatus at the at leastone remote rig site. The method also includes communicating the guidanceto the at least one rig site via a realtime communications connection.

In a second aspect, embodiments of a computer-implemented method ofremotely controlling steering of a drilling process of at least one rigsite are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includesreceiving a data stream from a remote rig site, the data streamincluding subsurface drilling data and directional survey data, andreceiving, from a user, guidance regarding directional steering of adrilling apparatus at the remote rig site. The method also includescommunicating the guidance to the remote rig site via a realtimecommunications connection.

In a third aspect, embodiments of a computer storage medium comprisingcomputer-executable instructions which, when executed, cause a computingsystem to perform a method of remotely controlling steering of adrilling process at each of a plurality of different rig sites. In aparticular embodiment the method includes receiving a data stream fromeach of a plurality of different remote rig sites, the data streamincluding subsurface drilling data and directional survey data, andreceiving, from a user, guidance regarding directional steering of adrilling apparatus at the remote rig site. The method also includescommunicating the guidance to one or more of the plurality of differentremote rig sites via a realtime communications connection.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Figures illustrate various aspects of the invention, and areattached to this written description.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an example environment in whichaspects of the geosteering systems and methods of the present disclosurecan be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a computing system on which ageosteering application according to aspects of the present disclosurecan be implemented;

FIG. 3 is a top-level flow diagram of a geosteering system operablewithin the environment of FIG. 1, according to an example embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an escalation process executable within thegeosteering system of FIG. 3, according to an example embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a directional survey process executable aspart of the geosteering system of FIG. 4, according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a geological data retrieval processexecutable as part of the geosteering system of FIG. 3, according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a realtime data collection processexecutable as part of the geosteering system of FIG. 3, according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a mud logging process executable as part ofthe geosteering system of FIG. 3, according to an example embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a sidetracking process executable as part ofthe an escalation process as seen in FIG. 4, according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a relog process executable as part of thean escalation process as seen in FIG. 4, according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11A is a flow diagram of a data aggregation process incorporableinto the realtime data collection process of FIG. 7, according to afirst example embodiment; and

FIG. 11B is a flow diagram of a data aggregation process incorporableinto the realtime data collection process of FIG. 7, according to asecond example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As briefly described above, the present disclosure is directed toembodiments of a well construction drilling geo-steering apparatus,system, and process. In general, the present disclosure relates to ageosteering application and method of its operation in which a datastream from one or more remote rig locations can be received, analyzed,and directional drilling guidance can be provided by a geologist at acentral analysis station to the remote rig via a realtime communicationscomponent.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides advances in the field ofdrilling geosteering by providing more efficient and effective methods,systems and apparatus for conducting real time surveys and receivinginput from remotely located professional personnel during theconstruction of a well, thereby saving costs and avoiding the extent ofwells diverging from a route preferred by the geologist assisting withwell formation.

In some aspects, the geosteering process of the present disclosure mayemploy real time data and chat collaboration tools to streamline dataintegration and collaboration to allow a geologist at a remote locationto steer multiple wells in a manner that is similar to doing such at therig location. This may further provide improved cycle time forgeosteering decision-making, integrating real time data systems withgeosteering software, providing a platform for real time collaborationamong other well advisors, and eliminating or automating administrativeactivities.

Still further, aspects of the present disclosure accelerate the increasein footage drilled in target subterranean zones by deploying a fasterdecision making process, using real time data. Further, there may beadditional production value for oil and gas produced from the reservoir,due to the well being steered along a more desirable path in theformation. Costs may also be reduced. In some instances, there may bereduction in sidetracks, which are undesirable drilling procedures. Theprocess may also result in increased data security over known systemsfor processing such data. More expert opinions may also be solicited andprovided as input into well steering decisions at the well site.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic illustration of an exampleenvironment 100 in which aspects of the geosteering systems and methodsof the present disclosure can be implemented is illustrated. Theenvironment includes a geological operations site 102 and a plurality ofdrilling rig sites 104, shown as sites 104 a-c. The drilling rig sites104 are communicatively connected, for example by data connection 106,to the geological operations site 102. Generally, the operations site102 is remote from each of the drilling rig sites 104. In accordancewith some aspects of the present disclosure, a minimum of 128 kbpsinternet transmission system is used in some embodiments to execute theprocess on/from the rig site 104. In some embodiments, the internet isused to transmit the data stored in a data aggregator via WITSML markuplanguage to an offsite data store. WITSML refers to Wellsite InformationTransfer Standard Markup Language. The internet is also used for on-rigindividuals to access both the WITSML viewer and the private chatmessaging system to receive communications from the geologist. Otherembodiments are contemplated and can vary from these examples.

In general, the systems described herein, and in particular theflowcharts of FIGS. 3-11, represent operations performed using computingsystems assuming various roles within an organization that is performingdrilling operations, such as horizontal directional drilling operations.At the geological operations site 102, an operations geologistcoordinator supervises an operations geology team of one or moreoperations geologists, and who each receive geosteering data from therig and provide geosteering instructions based on that received data.Each of the operations geologists initiates an escalation process whenapplicable, and documents one or more geosteering decisions made. Theoperations geologist coordinator participates in the escalation processas well.

In general, drilling rig sites 104 includes a drilling superintendentthat has a responsibility to ensure a well plan is executed correctlyand safely, and participates in an escalation process, as discussed infurther detail below in connection with FIG. 4. A drilling engineerassists in execution of a well plan, and assists as needed in theescalation process. A drill site manager assists in executing a wellplan, and ensures that any geosteering operations do not cause safetyissues at the rig site.

A MWD (measurement while drilling) engineer provides survey data to theoperations geology team, for example, based on verification of a surveydata quality and accuracy. The MWD engineer may also communicate thegeosteering instructions received from the operations geologists,transmits survey data to a data aggregator, and communicates geosteeringresults among the team at the rig. A mud logger logs information andtransmits that information to a data aggregator. Other individuals maybe present as well.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a computing system on which ageosteering application according to aspects of the present disclosurecan be implemented. FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of acomputing system 200. The computing system 200 can be, in someembodiments, used to implement a geosteering process according to thepresent disclosure. In general, the computing system 200 includes aprocessor 202 communicatively connected to a memory 204 via a data bus206. The processor 202 can be any of a variety of types of programmablecircuits capable of executing computer-readable instructions to performvarious tasks, such as mathematical and communication tasks.

The memory 204 can include any of a variety of memory devices, such asusing various types of computer-readable or computer storage media. Acomputer storage medium or computer-readable medium may be any mediumthat can contain or store the program for use by or in connection withthe instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. By way ofexample, computer storage media may include dynamic random access memory(DRAM) or variants thereof, solid state memory, read-only memory (ROM),electrically-erasable programmable ROM, optical discs (e.g., CD-ROMs,DVDs, etc.), magnetic disks (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks, etc.),magnetic tapes, and other types of devices and/or articles ofmanufacture that store data. Computer storage media generally includesat least one or more tangible media or devices. Computer storage mediacan, in some embodiments, include embodiments including entirelynon-transitory components. In the embodiment shown, the memory 204stores a geosteering application 212, discussed in further detail below.The computing system 200 can also include a communication interface 208configured to receive and transmit data, for example one or more datastreams received from rigs 104 a-c as seen in FIG. 1. Additionally, adisplay 210 can be used for presenting the modeling graphics, orallowing a user to view geological survey information, geosteering data,graphical depictions of drilling operations based on data streams, orother information.

In various embodiments, the geosteering application 212 includes ageological data retrieval component 214, a communications component 216,a geosteering component, and an escalation component 220. Of note,although the geosteering application 212 and components thereof will bediscussed herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat the disclosure is not limited to this example, and hardware,software, instructions (e.g., computer-executable instructions orcomputer usable instructions), program code (e.g., data andinstructions), multiple applications, any combination thereof, etc. canbe used. In the embodiment shown, the geological data retrievalcomponent 214 is configured to receive a data stream of subsurfacedrilling data (e.g., for storage as drilling data 222) and directionalsurvey data (e.g., data 224). The geological data retrieval component214 can be stored in memory 204, for use by a geosteering component 218.

In some embodiments, the geological data retrieval component 214receives a markup language data stream including metadata-labeled dataretrieved from each drilling rig site, providing for easy integrationand display of such data by the application 212.

The communications component 216 allows for a realtime communicationsconnection to each of the rig sites. In example embodiments, thecommunications component 216 is a realtime chat communications programor program component, thereby allowing a person at the geologicaloperations site 102 to communicate with a plurality of differentdrilling rig sites 104 at the same time (rather than requiring voicecommunication, which is typically only achievable on a one-at-a-time ora few at a time basis.

The geosteering component 218 is configured to present geological dataretrieved via the geological data retrieval component 214, and from thedata streams received by that system, to a geologist. The geosteeringcomponent 218 is capable of receiving feedback from a user relating todirectional steering of a drilling apparatus at each rig site, therebyallowing the user to present geosteering instructions to the rig sitefrom a location remote from the rig site, based on data provided to thegeosteering application 212.

The escalation component 220 manages event escalation processes that maybe triggered by a geologist using the geosteering application 212, andcan include management of communication with one or more otherindividuals (including those individuals discussed above in connectionwith FIG. 1) to manage the event escalation. An example of stepsperformed during an event escalation process is provided below inconnection with FIG. 4.

It is noted that although computing system 200 is illustrated asexecuting a geosteering application 212 at a geological operations site(e.g., site 102 of FIG. 1), other computing systems having analogoushardware features could be provided at each rig site, for example tomanage data aggregation and communication with the geological operationssite. In example embodiments, computing systems at the drilling rigsites 104 include surface, directional, and measurement while drilling(MWD) tools capable of sending WITS (Well-site Information TransferSpecification) data: Sensors around the rig and downhole collect rawdata continuously during operations. This raw data is collected andprocessed by computers on the rig using proprietary software packages bythe service providers. The software packages are, in embodiments, WITScompatible. Similarly, a computer at the rig site maintainsbi-directional communication with the other WITS data providers on therig. This aggregator consolidates information from each data providerand stores in a central, on-rig location in a common WITSML format usinga secure, offsite WITSML data store.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-11, flowcharts illustrating example operationswithin the environment 100 are shown. In particular, the flowcharts ofFIGS. 3-11 illustrate operations by the computing system 200, and inparticular as interacting with other computing systems and users at thedrilling rig sites 104 a-c or at the geological operations site 102, toprovide remote geosteering communications to each of the rig sites,thereby providing efficient guidance to each of the rig sites withlittle delay between when data is logged at the rig site and whengeosteering feedback is provided to the site from the geologicaloperations site 102.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a top-level flow diagram of a geosteeringsystem 300 operable within the environment of FIG. 1, according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure. The geosteering system canbe performed at a geological operations site 102 and a rig site 104, asin the example shown. The one or more portions of the overall system 300provided at the geological operations site 102 can be performed at leastin part using the geosteering application of FIG. 2, above. In part, thegeosteering system 300 can be used to update a geosteering log, or“GSL”.

In the embodiment shown, the geosteering system 300 includes a mudlogging process 302 and a directional survey process 304 that generatedata at a rig site. Generally, the mud logging process 302 determines aproduction level of a particular drilling process, while the directionalsurvey process 304 determines a current direction and location of adrill head and associated bore hole. The directional survey areperformed at predefined regular depth intervals to pinpoint spatialposition of the well bore. In some embodiments, once recorded, thedirectional survey data is stored in a WITS compatible directionalsoftware. Example details of the mud logging process 302 are providedbelow in connection with FIG. 8, while example details of thedirectional survey process 304 are provided below in connection withFIG. 5.

Data from each of the mud logging process 302 and directional surveyprocess 304 can, in the embodiment shown, be fed to a realtime dataprocess 306. The realtime data process 306 can aggregate data from aplurality of different data sources and format that data forcommunication to a geological operations site 102. This can include, forexample translating the data to a markup language format recognizable tosystems at the geological operations site 102, such as a WITSML format.Other formats are useable as well. One example of operations of arealtime data process 306 are provided below in connection with FIG. 7.

In the embodiment shown, data from the directional survey process 304can be directly transmitted to the geological operations site 102 aswell, to notify a geologist of new data from a rig (operation 308). Atsuch time, a geosteering process 310 begins, in which the geologist canview the directional survey data. The geologist may opt to send a chat(at operation 312) to the rig, e.g., via the communications component216, to indicate that a geosteering process is beginning.

In the embodiment shown, a geological data retrieval process 314 is thenperformed at the geological operations site 102. This geological dataretrieval process 314 can be performed, for example, by the geologicaldata retrieval component 214 of the geosteering application 212 of FIG.2. Generally, the geological data retrieval process 314 receives thedata stream configured by the realtime data process 306 to present tothe geologist a graphical geosteering model. Details regarding anexample geological data retrieval process 314 are provided below inconnection with FIG. 6. Once such data is received at the geosteeringapplication 212, a geologist may analyze the geosteer model (atoperation 316) and update geosteering log (GSL) data (operation 318)thereby rerouting an intended drilling operation.

A problem determination operation 310 assesses whether there exists aproblem at one or more rig sites 104, for example based on the datareceived during the geological data retrieval process 314.

If a problem exists (e.g., a safety issue or unresolveable conflict) anescalation process 322 occurs. The escalation process 322 may beperformed if there is an abnormal condition that is encountered. In suchcases, both the rig and geosteerer have escalation procedures to followbased on a predetermined scenario list organized by severity level. Thisprocess allows for management by exception for individuals not involvedin the process 24×7, so that the appropriate accountable resources areinvolved in discussions according to the severity of the situation.Details regarding an example escalation process are provided below inconnection with FIG. 4.

Upon completion of the escalation process, or in the event that noproblem is detected during operation 320, a finalization operation 324finalizes the route selected by the geologist. A communicationsoperation 326 corresponds to the geologist using the communicationscomponent 216 to provide realtime communications (e.g., chatcommunications) to a rig site to communicate updated geosteeringdirections. As part of the communications operation 326, the geosteererthen communicates the results/instructions to the rig personnel throughprivate chat message system. The rig personnel receive the message andexecute the instructions. They also confirm to the geosteerer that theinstructions have been received and executed. The private chat messagesystem provides a transparent platform for collaboration with all thestakeholders in drilling the well that have been pre-authorized usingthe “entitlement process”. The chat message logs are attached to thedrilling parameter log of each well and is recorded for auditing andlong term accountability.

Furthermore, once the data is interpreted by the geosteerer orgeologist, he/she communicates the spatial position of the wellbore inrelation to the various formations to the rig via a secure chat messagesystem. The chat system is bi-directional and allows the geosteerer andmultiple individuals on the rig to discuss the current situation andmake changes to interpretations as necessary. Once the agreed upon planis implemented, the rig crew confirms execution through the chat system.A receipt and confirmation operation 328 performed at the rig siteconfirms that the geosteering directions were received, and an executionoperation 330 performs the communicated instructions (e.g., asimplemented by rig personnel).

It is noted that, due at least in part to receipt of a data stream fromthe rig site, and automated aggregation of data at that rig site andformatting for consumption by an application used by a geologist, thegeologist can receive much more quickly data required to allow thegeologist to provide geosteering instructions to the rig site.Additionally, the use of realtime communications with the rig site, andin particular chat-type instructions allows the geologist to communicatethose geosteering instructions quickly as well as to communicate with aplurality of rig sites at the same time, thereby improving efficiency ofthe overall system 300.

Referring now to FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an escalation process 400executable within the geosteering system of FIG. 3, according to anexample an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The escalationprocess 400 can be used, for example, as the escalation process 322 ofFIG. 3, in some example embodiments.

In general, the escalation process 400 provides detailed information onhow the geologist should handle issues and problems during thegeosteering process. It provides clear responsibilities,accountabilities and instruction on when and who to escalate problems tothe appropriate leaders/asset team members.

In the embodiment shown, the escalation process 400 includes problemidentification (operation 402), which includes an operations geologistidentifying a problem or issue, often times with the help of rigpersonnel. The geologist can then determine a severity level of theissue as well as an appropriate action (operation 404). The severity canbe based, for example, on a low/medium/high severity classification.

Depending on the severity level of the event, the on-call operationsgeologist will take a different kind of action. In cases where theescalation process 400 identifies a problem as a low severity, theoperations geologist will most often only be required to call the rig toremediate whatever problem has arisen.

Example Low severity events can include: a first attempted and failedcommunication with a rig, a slight deviation from existing direction(e.g., 1-3 degrees of deviation), a change of less than 10 feet in theevent of a less than 100 foot horizontal drilling operation, low gasunits, or a resolvable difference in opinion between the geologist andrig. Other events could be included as well.

A Medium severity level will require a little more from the OperationsGeologist. The geologist or steerer will make contact with the rigpersonnel, similar to a low severity issue, and will follow up with theoperations geology coordinator once the issue has been resolved. In mostcases a medium severity issue will not require immediate contact withthe Ops Coordinator, and an email summarizing the issue and plan ofaction will suffice.

Example medium severity events can include: failed second attempts atcommunication between a geologist and rig, H2S detection of greater than10 ppm in the mud log, a moderate deviation in drilling angle from plan(e.g., 4-6 degrees), a dip of greater than about three degrees, aprojection of being out of a target zone within about 100 feet,incomplete data, or inadequate directional drilling capabilities. Otherevents could be included as well.

If a High severity event were to take place, a call to the drill sitemanager (“DSM”) will occur first to halt drilling if the rig has notdone so on their own first. Immediately following, a call will be madeto the Ops Coordinator to debrief him/her of the situation. At thattime, the Ops Coordinator will begin coordinating the necessary teammembers to resolve the situation. The on-call geosteerer may be asked toprovide additional information or metrics to the Ops Coordinator asnecessary to make an appropriate plan of action.

Example High severity events can include: an entirely unresponsivecommunication between a geologist and the rig, H2S detection at the rigfloor, or significant safety events on the rig, a greater than 5 degreeangle of deviation from plan, with the current drilling operation out ofa target zone, an observed formation dip of greater than 5 degrees,faulting positions of the wellbore, or unresolvable differences ofopinion. Other events could be included as well.

Table 1, below, illustrates example severity levels and operationalactions that can be taken based on the severity level of a particularevent or occurrence:

TABLE 1 Escalation Event Severities and Actions Severity Level ActionLow Operations Geologist can handle. Communicate with rig if necessary.Medium Operations Geologist and rig can handle. Inform OperationsGeology Coordinator as a follow-up (e.g. email) High Communicate to rigto stop operations Immediate call to Operations Geology Coordinator TeamLead to involve appropriate parties for troubleshooting and developingPlan of Action

As illustrated, depending on the severity level of the event, a user,(e.g. the operations geologist) will take a different kind of action. Incases where the Escalation Process identifies a problem as a Lowseverity, the operations geologist will most often only be required tocall the rig to remediate whatever problem has arisen.

For example, a medium severity level will require more from theoperations geologist. The geologist/steerer will make contact with therig personnel, similar to a low severity issue, and will follow up withthe operations coordinator once the issue has been resolved. In mostcases a medium severity issue will not require immediate contact withthe operations coordinator, and an email summarizing the issue and planof action will suffice.

By way of contrast, if a high severity event were to take place, a callwill occur first to halt drilling if the rig has not done so on theirown first. Immediately following, a call will be made to the operationscoordinator to debrief him/her of the situation. At that time, theoperations coordinator will begin coordinating the necessary teammembers to resolve the situation. The geosteerer (e.g., the geologist)may be asked to provide additional information or metrics to theoperations coordinator necessary to make an appropriate plan of action.

Still referring to FIG. 4, the geologist and/or system can notify thedrilling rig site 104 of the issue (at operation 406). This can startwith DSM personnel, who receive the notification (operation 408) andredistribute such notification.

In the embodiment shown, it is determined whether a new survey isneeded, at operation 410, to validate existing conclusions or gatheradditional data regarding a particular issue. If so, a directionalsurvey process 412 can be performed. Details of such a process areprovided below in connection with FIG. 5. Otherwise, a relog operation414 determines if a relog process is needed; if so, a relog process 416is performed and operational flow returns to identifying the problem (atoperation 402). The relog process 416 can, for example, operate asdiscussed below in connection with FIG. 10.

If relogging is not needed, a plan of action operation 418 determines aplan of action, for example based on feedback by both geologists and rigpersonnel. An approval operation 420 determines if approval is obtained(e.g., for high severity events); if no approval is obtained, a new planof action is determined in the plan of action operation 418. If approvalis obtained, a sidetracked operation 422 determines if the rig siteneeds to be sidetracked; if so, a sidetrack operation 424 occurs (e.g.,as illustrated in FIG. 9). If no sidetrack operation is performed, oronce that sidetrack operation occurs, the system returns, at operation426, to high-level process performed by system 300 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a directional survey process 412 of FIG. 4,according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. Ingeneral, the directional survey process 410 occurs at every surveypoint, and can be performed periodically while drilling. The surveypoints can be determined by the location in the well and capabilities ofthe rig, and is primarily the responsibility of the onsite measuringwhile drilling engineer at the rig site. In the embodiment shown, thedirectional survey process 412 includes halting drilling operations(operation 502) and holding the pipe stationary to facilitate anaccurate directional survey. The measuring engineer will then coordinatewith the rig crew to perform a directional survey at operation 504. Theengineer will also verify the survey with business partner specification(e.g., as in operation 506), and then enters the resulting directionaldata into a data aggregator. Aggregated data can be provided to arealtime data process 510, which can, for example, be performedsimilarly to the realtime data process 306 noted above, and discussedbelow. A chat communication can, similar to above, be sent to thegeological operations site 102 (at operation 512), and it is determinedcollectively whether a problem exists based on that survey (at operation514). If a problem exists, personnel await resolution (at operation516); otherwise, drilling is resumed (at operation 518).

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a geological data retrieval process 314executable as part of the geosteering system of FIG. 3, according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure. Generally, the geologicaldata retrieval process 314 retrieves data from a realtime data server602 maintained at a rig site. The geological data retrieval process 314includes generating a WITSML output data stream (e.g., at operation 604)from the data collected, for example every 1-2 minutes. The geosteeringapplication 212 downloads updates to a particular well at operation 606,and geological data from the WITSML file is displayed on such a system(e.g., system 200) and updates models used based on that data.Operational flow returns to the high level process, i.e., process 300 ofFIG. 3 (at operation 610).

Referring now to FIG. 7 a flow diagram is shown of a realtime datacollection process 306 executable as part of the geosteering system ofFIG. 3, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.The realtime data collection process 306 can, for example occur at a rigsite, and can provide an aggregated selection of data for storage at therealtime data server 602 for inclusion in a data stream as noted in FIG.6, above. This process combines data from the mud logging and surveyprocesses described above with real time drilling data collected onsite. The aggregated data is then transmitted over the Internet viaWITSML to an offsite server.

In the embodiment shown, a measurement while drilling operator willprovide directional data flow (at operation 702), while a surfacelogging operator can transmit realtime surface data (at operation 704)and a mud logger can generate concurrent lithology and gas information(at operation 706) to a data aggregation process 708. Example dataaggregation processes are provided below, in connection with FIGS.11A-11B. Aggregated data is transmitted to the realtime data server 602in operation 710.

In example embodiments, surface logging data can include, for example,standard drilling parameters such as ROP, bit depth, and hole depth;other types of data from the mud logger and directional data flow areprovided elsewhere herein.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a mud logging process 302 executable as partof the geosteering system of FIG. 3, according to an example embodimentof the present disclosure. In the embodiment shown, the mud loggingprocess occurs continuously while drilling while mud loggers are onlocation as per drilling procedures. The mud logging process is in placeand functioning while drilling with the objective to identify drilledformation type and pore space contents. This is typically accomplishedby collecting cutting samples and gas sample at regular intervals. Thegas samples are analyzed using industry purposed equipment and theresults of the analysis are fed into a WITS (Well-site InformationTransfer Specification) compatible application.

In an example embodiment, the system captures both a gas sample(operation 802) as well as cuttings (at operation 804). The cuttings canbe, for example, every 90 feet in the lateral and every 10 feet in thecurve, or as otherwise defined per drilling procedure. The gas sample isanalyzed at operation 806, and the cuttings are washed and dried atoperation 808. The mud log is transmitted to a computer (at operation810, and the cut sample is analyzed (at operation 812). The analysis andmud log data are provided to a realtime data collection process 306.Additionally, a report based on the cuttings can be provided to a mudlogging distribution list (at operation 814) on a less frequent basis,e.g., every six hours.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a sidetracking process 424 executable aspart of the an escalation process as seen in FIG. 4, according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure. The sidetracking processoccurs when a particular rig site 104 must be offline for correction. Inthat event, a rig contractor creates a new well in software (atoperation 802) and the geological operations site notifies of thesidetrack (at operation 904). An IT department professional transmits anotification of a new well to an infrastructure and data quality supportteam (at operation 906) and an infrastructure and data quality supportteam sets up a sidetrack well in the realtime data server 602 (as inoperation 908).

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a relog process 416 executable as part ofthe an escalation process as seen in FIG. 4, according to an example anexample embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 10,a relog process is requested by the geologist (at operation 1002), andthe measurement while drilling engineer can receive the reloginstruction (at operation 1004). The MWD engineer can provide relogginginstructions to a rig coordinator (at operation 1006) who relogs a lastpredetermined number of feet of well drilling (at operation 1008). TheMWD engineer can also create a file (at operation 1010) for transmissionto the operations geologist (at operation 1012). The operationsgeologist can receive that file (at operation 1014) and provide orimport data into a software application used for geosteering (shown inFIG. 10).

Referring to FIGS. 11A-11B, various examples of data aggregationprocesses are shown. The data aggregation processes of FIGS. 11A-11B canbe used to aggregate data at a rig site for formation in a data streamto transmit to an operations geologist, and in particular for use andtransmission to a geostering application 212 of FIG. 2, for example, asintegrated into the realtime data collection process 306 of FIG. 7,above.

In a first embodiment as shown in FIG. 11A, a flow diagram of a dataaggregation process 1100 is shown. That aggregation process includes, inthe embodiment shown, integration of surface level data from one or moresensors (at operation 1102), measurement while drilling data (atoperation 1104) and mud logging data (at operation 1106) fortransmission to a central server (at operation 1108). That centralserver can then send data to the realtime data server 602, forformatting via WITSML and transmission as a data stream.

In a second possible embodiment, integration of surface level data fromone or more sensors (at operation 1122), measurement while drilling data(at operation 1124) and mud logging data (at operation 126) fortransmission directly to a realtime data server 602 (at operation 1138)for formation of a data stream. It is noted that aggregation process1120 could occur at a server, or at a laptop device.

In accordance with the present disclosure, and as indicated in FIGS.1-11 generally, drilling parameters, directional survey, drilling gas,and pertinent LWD (logging while drilling) data gets auto-populated inthe geosteering software package with little or no human intervention.This system provides pertinent formation evaluation data to thegeologist in realtime for trend analysis even before the directionalsurvey data is available for analysis using the geosteering softwarepackage. This not only saves time but also allows the geosteerer tofocus on his analysis without needing to perform preparatory tasks suchas e-mails, saving files, importing data. As a result, one geosteerer(e.g., geologist) can manage more rigs and is more effective.

The description and illustration of one or more embodiments provided inthis disclosure are not intended to limit or restrict the scope of theinvention as claimed in any way. The embodiments, examples, and detailsprovided in this disclosure are considered sufficient to conveypossession and enable others to make and use the best mode of claimedinvention. The claimed invention should not be construed as beinglimited to any embodiment, example, or detail provided in thisapplication. Regardless whether shown and described in combination orseparately, the various features (both structural and methodological)are intended to be selectively included or omitted to produce anembodiment with a particular set of features. Having been provided withthe description and illustration of the present application, one skilledin the art may envision variations, modifications, and alternateembodiments falling within the spirit of the broader aspects of theclaimed invention and the general inventive concept embodied in thisdisclosure that do not depart from the broader scope.

For the avoidance of doubt, the present disclosure includes thesubject-matter defined in the following numbered paragraphs:

A1. A geosteering system comprising: a computing system at a facilityremote from at least one rig site, the computing system comprising: atleast one processor; and computer storage medium comprisingcomputer-executable instructions which, when executed by the at leastone processor, cause performance of a method of remotely controllingsteering of a drilling process at the at least one rig site, the methodcomprising: receiving a data stream from the at least one rig site, thedata stream including subsurface drilling data and directional surveydata; receiving, from a user, guidance regarding directional steering ofa drilling apparatus at the at least one remote rig site; andcommunicating the guidance to the at least one rig site via a realtimecommunications connection.

A2. The geosteering system of claim A1, wherein the computer-executableinstructions are further executed by the at least one processor toreceive a plurality of data streams, each of the plurality of datastreams received from a different one of a plurality of rig sites.

A3. The geosteering system of claim A1, wherein the computer-executableinstructions are further executed by the at least one processor toreceive problems identified by a user, and determine a severity of aproblem and a plan of action to address the problem.

A4. The geosteering system of claim A3, wherein the computer-executableinstructions are further executed by the at least one processor totrigger a geosteering directional survey process.

A5. The geosteering system of claim A1, further comprising, at the atleast one rig site, a server configured to receive data from one or moresensors, positional and directional data associated with the drillingapparatus, and mud logging data, wherein the server is configured tooutput the aggregated data for transmission in the data stream.

A6. The geosteering system of claim A5, wherein the data streamcomprises markup language data compliant with a wellsite informationtransfer specification.

A7. The geosteering system of claim A1, wherein the data comprises atleast near-realtime data from the at least one rig site.

A8. The geosteering system of claim A1, further comprising a graphicalinterface for the user, thereby allowing the user to provide directionsto personnel at the at least one rig site to steer the drillingapparatus in an area of interest.

A9. The geosteering system of claim A1, further comprising a pluralityof rig sites.

A10. A computer-implemented method of remotely controlling steering of adrilling process of at least one rig site, the method comprising:receiving a data stream from a remote rig site, the data streamincluding subsurface drilling data and directional survey data;receiving, from a user, guidance regarding directional steering of adrilling apparatus at the remote rig site; and communicating theguidance to the remote rig site via a realtime communicationsconnection.

A11. The method of claim A10, further comprising executing an escalationprocess based on an indication by the user based on the subsurfacedrilling data.

A12. The method of claim A11, wherein the escalation process includes adirectional survey at the remote rig site.

A13. The method of claim A10, wherein the guidance is used at the remoterig site to adjust directional steering of the drilling apparatus at theremote rig site.

A14. The method of claim A10, further comprising periodically refreshingdata from a well log.

A15. The method of claim A10, further comprising performing a mudlogging process continuously at the remote rig site.

A16. The method of claim A10, wherein the data stream includes data thatis aggregated at the remote rig site.

A17. The method of claim A10, wherein the guidance regarding directionalsteering of a drilling apparatus at the remote rig site is received at ageosteering component of a geosteering application.

A18. The method of claim A10, further comprising receiving a data streamfrom each of a plurality of different remote rig sites.

A19. A computer storage medium comprising computer-executableinstructions which, when executed, cause a computing system to perform amethod of remotely controlling steering of a drilling process at each ofa plurality of different rig sites, the method comprising: receiving adata stream from each of a plurality of different remote rig sites, thedata stream including subsurface drilling data and directional surveydata; receiving, from a user, guidance regarding directional steering ofa drilling apparatus at the remote rig site; and communicating theguidance to one or more of the plurality of different remote rig sitesvia a realtime communications connection.

A20. The computer storage medium of claim A19, wherein the methodfurther includes executing an escalation process based on an indicationby the user based on the subsurface drilling data, the escalationprocess including a directional survey at the remote rig site.

B1. A geosteering system comprising: a geological data retrieval systemoperable at a computing system at a facility remote from at least onerig site, the geological data retrieval system (or component) configuredto receive a data stream including subsurface drilling data anddirectional survey data; a geosteering component receiving feedback froma user relating to directional steering of a drilling apparatus at theat least one rig site; and a communications component providing to theuser a realtime communications connection to the at least one rig site.

B2. The geosteering system of claim B1, wherein the geological dataretrieval system receives a plurality of data streams, each of theplurality of data streams received from a different one of a pluralityof rig sites.

B3. The geosteering system of claim B 1, further comprising anescalation system (or component) receiving problems identified by a userof the geosteering component, the escalation system determining aseverity of a problem and a plan of action to address the problem at acentral operational facility.

B4. The geosteering system of claim B3, wherein the escalation systemtriggers a geosteering directional survey process.

B5. The geosteering system of claim B1, further comprising, at the atleast one rig site, a data aggregation component including a serverconfigured to receive data from one or more sensors, positional anddirectional data associated with the drilling apparatus, and mud loggingdata, wherein the server is configured to output the aggregated data fortransmission to the geological data retrieval system in the data stream.

B6. The geosteering system of claim B5, wherein the data streamcomprises markup language data compliant with a wellsite informationtransfer specification.

B7. The geosteering system of claim B1, wherein the data comprises atleast near-realtime data from the at least one rig site.

B8. The geosteering system of claim B1, wherein the geosteeringcomponent presents a graphical interface to the user, thereby allowingthe user to provide directions to personnel at the at least one rig sitevia the communications component to steer the drilling apparatus in anarea of interest.

B9. The geosteering system of claim B1, further comprising a pluralityof rig sites.

B10. A computer-implemented method of remotely controlling steering of adrilling process of at least one rig site, the method comprising:receiving a data stream from a remote rig site, the data streamincluding subsurface drilling data and directional survey data;receiving, from a user, guidance regarding directional steering of adrilling apparatus at the remote rig site; and communicating theguidance to the remote rig site via a realtime communicationsconnection.

B11. The method of claim B10, further comprising executing an escalationprocess based on an indication by the user based on the subsurfacedrilling data.

B12. The method of claim B11, wherein the escalation process includes adirectional survey at the remote rig site.

B13. The method of claim B10, further comprising applying the guidanceat the remote rig site to adjust directional steering of the drillingapparatus.

B14. The method of claim B10, further comprising periodically refreshingdata from a well log.

B15. The method of claim B10, further comprising performing a mudlogging process continuously at the remote rig site.

B16. The method of claim B10, further comprising aggregating data at theremote rig site for inclusion in the data stream.

B17. The method of claim B10, wherein the guidance regarding directionalsteering of a drilling apparatus at the remote rig site is received at ageosteering component of a geosteering application.

B18. The method of claim B10, further comprising receiving a data streamfrom each of a plurality of different remote rig sites.

B19. A computer storage medium comprising computer-executableinstructions which, when executed, cause the computing system to performa method of remotely controlling steering of a drilling process at eachof a plurality of different rig sites, the method comprising: receivinga data stream from each of a plurality of different remote rig sites ata geosteering application executing on a computing system, the datastream including subsurface drilling data and directional survey data;receiving, from a user of the geosteering application, guidanceregarding directional steering of a drilling apparatus at the remote rigsite; and communicating the guidance from the geosteering application toone or more of the plurality of different remote rig sites via arealtime communications connection.

B20. The computer storage medium of claim B19, wherein the methodfurther includes executing an escalation process based on an indicationby the user based on the subsurface drilling data, the escalationprocess including a directional survey at the remote rig site.

1. A geosteering system comprising: a computing system at a facilityremote from at least one rig site, the computing system comprising: atleast one processor; and computer storage medium comprisingcomputer-executable instructions which, when executed by the at leastone processor, cause performance of a method of remotely controllingsteering of a drilling process at the at least one rig site, the methodcomprising: receiving a data stream from the at least one rig site, thedata stream including subsurface drilling data and directional surveydata; receiving, from a user, guidance regarding directional steering ofa drilling apparatus at the at least one remote rig site; andcommunicating the guidance to the at least one rig site via a realtimecommunications connection.
 2. The geosteering system of claim 1, whereinthe computer-executable instructions are further executed by the atleast one processor to receive a plurality of data streams, each of theplurality of data streams received from a different one of a pluralityof rig sites.
 3. The geosteering system of claim 1, wherein thecomputer-executable instructions are further executed by the at leastone processor to receive problems identified by a user, and determine aseverity of a problem and a plan of action to address the problem. 4.The geosteering system of claim 3, wherein the computer-executableinstructions are further executed by the at least one processor totrigger a geosteering directional survey process.
 5. The geosteeringsystem of claim 1, further comprising, at the at least one rig site, aserver configured to receive data from one or more sensors, positionaland directional data associated with the drilling apparatus, and mudlogging data, wherein the server is configured to output the aggregateddata for transmission in the data stream.
 6. The geosteering system ofclaim 5, wherein the data stream comprises markup language datacompliant with a wellsite information transfer specification.
 7. Thegeosteering system of claim 1, wherein the data comprises at leastnear-realtime data from the at least one rig site.
 8. The geosteeringsystem of claim 1, further comprising a graphical interface for theuser, thereby allowing the user to provide directions to personnel atthe at least one rig site to steer the drilling apparatus in an area ofinterest.
 9. The geosteering system of claim 1, further comprising aplurality of rig sites.
 10. A computer-implemented method of remotelycontrolling steering of a drilling process of at least one rig site, themethod comprising: receiving a data stream from a remote rig site, thedata stream including subsurface drilling data and directional surveydata; receiving, from a user, guidance regarding directional steering ofa drilling apparatus at the remote rig site; and communicating theguidance to the remote rig site via a realtime communicationsconnection.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising executing anescalation process based on an indication by the user based on thesubsurface drilling data.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein theescalation process includes a directional survey at the remote rig site.13. The method of claim 10, wherein the guidance is used at the remoterig site to adjust directional steering of the drilling apparatus at theremote rig site.
 14. The method of claim 10, further comprisingperiodically refreshing data from a well log.
 15. The method of claim10, further comprising performing a mud logging process continuously atthe remote rig site.
 16. The method of claim 10, wherein the data streamincludes data that is aggregated at the remote rig site.
 17. The methodof claim 10, wherein the guidance regarding directional steering of adrilling apparatus at the remote rig site is received at a geosteeringcomponent of a geosteering application.
 18. The method of claim 10,further comprising receiving a data stream from each of a plurality ofdifferent remote rig sites.
 19. A computer storage medium comprisingcomputer-executable instructions which, when executed, cause a computingsystem to perform a method of remotely controlling steering of adrilling process at each of a plurality of different rig sites, themethod comprising: receiving a data stream from each of a plurality ofdifferent remote rig sites, the data stream including subsurfacedrilling data and directional survey data; receiving, from a user,guidance regarding directional steering of a drilling apparatus at theremote rig site; and communicating the guidance to one or more of theplurality of different remote rig sites via a realtime communicationsconnection.
 20. The computer storage medium of claim 19, wherein themethod further includes executing an escalation process based on anindication by the user based on the subsurface drilling data, theescalation process including a directional survey at the remote rigsite.